WEEK IN PREVIEW: USHER SURGES PAST D12

Indeed, though the momentum of the multiformat hit single “My Band” continues, it looks like D12 World (Shady/Interscope) will fall prey to Usher's Confessions (LaFace/ZLG), which seems headed toward the 250k range, with Eminem's guys just behind it.

The biggest chart debut of the week will be Petey Pablo’s Still Writing In My Diary: 2nd Entry (Jive), which is expected to log a first-week sales total of 100k, putting it in or near the Top Five.

The next-biggest release to chart this week looks like lt’ll be last year’s American Idol second runner-up Kimberley Locke, whose One Love (Curb) should hit somewhere around 50k for the week. Also coming near that mark should be Totally Hits 2004 Vol. 1 (BMG Heritage). Flaw’s Endangered Species (Republic/Universal) should come in right behind those two.

Also look for megaseller Norah Jones to re-enter the Top 10 this week, as her album, Feels Like Home (Blue Note), scores a substantial Mothers' Day bounce.